The teams stayed even through a low-scoring start, with Thomas holding a 15-13 edge at the 10:52 mark. The Mariners gained their largest lead of the game by going on a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to go ahead 22-15 with 7:40 to go in the half. Thomas pulled it back even at 24-24 at the 4:19 mark, then gained back the lead in the final minutes to go into the half ahead 36-34.

The lead continued to change hands as the back-and-forth play continued deep into the second. MMA took the lead for the final time at 8:39 when a MMA layup made it 54-53. Thomas scored eight straight from that point to take their largest lead of the game at 61-54 with 6:16 to go. MMA stayed in and managed to get the score back to 65-63, but a pair of Tyler Nixon (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) free throws late sealed the 67-63 win for Thomas.

Justin Butler (Orlando, Fla.) scored a game-high 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and added six rebounds for the Terriers. Zach Mackinnon (Kennebunk, Maine) chipped in 15 off the bench with six rebounds of his own, while Jordan Goodson (Orlando, Fla.) added 12 points and four steals.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Terriers advance to the NAC Semifinal round where they will take on top-seeded UMaine-Farmington on Friday, February 22 at 5:30 PM.